Post-Graduate Training in Veterinary Medicine: Are There Alternatives to Research Training?

Abstract

The Master of Veterinary Medicine (MVM) is the only intermediate post-graduate training programme at The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).  It is designed to train Veterinarians for positions in teaching, research and "field services" (Anon 1996). The structure of this degree is similar to that of MSc degrees found at SUA and in other Universities within the sub-region. Our analysis shows that, the MVM being a research degree is well suited as a research training model. The degree was developed for the purpose of enhancing staff development within the faculty. Currently there is an expressed desire for applied specialised professional programmes in areas such as Preventive Medicine, Diagnostic Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Planning and Management, et cetera. These are inter­disciplinary programmes whose emphasis is on the development of skills to solve professional problems largely as they arise in the field. Development in provision of private veterinary services has also to be taken into account. These new development make us question the suitability of the current MVM-MSc model for training non-research professionals for both the public and private sectors of the delivery system. Four other models which are complementary to the MVM-MSc model in producing the right mix of skills for the animal health sector are discussed. Models examined are continuing professional development (CPD) programmes; professional  masters courses, the lntern-MSc/ MVM  model and professional diploma courses